Category: News from Asia & Australasia


Cities from EU, India & Asia Deliberate on the Assessment and Management of Local Air Quality in Cities

On 7 October 2022, a thematic event on Local Air Quality Assessment and Management in Cities was conducted by the EU-funded IURC Asia and Australasia within the IURC thematic network Urban and Regional Renewal and Social Cohesion. This event was directed towards city officials who are working  on local air quality issues. Officials from the Indian cities of Kanpur, Patna,...

Maia and Famalicão visit to Malaysia’s Penang Cities – Circular Economy and World Habitat Day 2022

A delegation from the Portuguese cities of Maia and Vila Nova de Famalicão held several work meetings in the Penang cities George Town and Seberang Perai from 11 to 16 September 2022. As a result of the mission, three MoUs were signed for cooperation on circular economy and waste management. The mission was reflected in a video launched by the...

Leh and Greek Cities Strengthen Ties on Sustainable Urbanisation

As part of the cooperation between the mountainous city of Leh in India and Greek Cities of Trikala, Farkadona and Meteora, an exchange visit was hosted between 12 – 16 September 2022.  The Indian delegation consisted of: Dr Ishey Namgyal, President, Leh Municipal Committee Mr Lobzang Tsering, Ward Member, Leh Municipal Committee Mr Deldan Gawa Otsal, Ward Member, Leh Municipal...

Kicking things off: EU-Japan Region-to-Region Innovation Cooperation

On the 13th of July 2022, 6 Regions from different Member States of the EU and 5 Japanese prefectures met online as a First touchpoint of the “EU-Japan Region-to-Region Innovation Cooperation”. This gathering provided opportunities for the EU regions and Japanese prefectures to meet, present themselves, exchange information and ideas, and establish an initial contact for collaboration. The EU-Japan Region-to-Region...

Asia Pacific cities join global network to strengthen food systems

The European Union supports the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) within the Farm to Fork Strategy. The strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal and aims at making food systems fair, healthy and environmentally friendly. With support from IURC Asia & Australasia, the MUFPP Secretariat organised its first regional forum in Asia Pacific in Bandung, Indonesia,...

EU and Vietnamese cities explore smart mobility solutions for climate adaptation

The Stuttgart Region, the Colleferro-Latina Functional Area, Da Lat City and Ha Tinh City met on 5th September 2022 to share their experiences during the session on Technical Infrastructure Part 3 - Smart Mobility for GHG Mitigation and Climate Adaptation. The meeting was opened by Dr. Rui Ludovino, First Counsellor, Climate Action, Environment, Employment and Social Policies, at the Delegation...

Sofia and Sejong leap forward in cooperation with a study visit

Through the IURC programme, Sejong and Sofia conducted their first study visit in Sejong from 29 August to 2 September 2022. The visit was very much anticipated by both parties, as they have been eager to meet in person and get their cooperation off the ground. Both cities’ commitment showed through the opening of the study visit, which launched with...

Seoul and Dublin step further to more concrete partnership with a study visit

Seoul and Dublin conducted the first study visit in Seoul from 29 August to 2 September 2022 through the IURC programme (International Urban and Regional Cooperation) sponsored by the European Union. Since it was the first time for both cities to meet in person after a year long online communication, Seoul and Dublin delegates were very excited to step further...

Team Europe and Thai cities commit to sustainable food systems

The European Union, the Embassy of Italy to Thailand, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Chiang Mai Municipality and the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) are cooperating to make Bangkok’s and Chiang Mai’s food systems more sustainable through the definition of each city’s food strategy. The two Thai cities are participating in the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme of...

Multistakeholder partnership on flood management between Kochi, Messina and key academic institutions

The Kochi-Messina city-to-city cooperation on flood management as part of the EU funded IURC programme is enabling the cities to ‘learn from each other, set ambitious targets, forge lasting partnerships, test new solutions and boost their international profile’ as envisioned in the EU Urban Agenda. With support from the programme, the governments of Kochi and Messina are now building multistakeholder...